Collating machine



R. G. DEXTER ETAL 2,901,249

COLLATING MACHINE Aug. 25, 1959 Filed Feb. 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IQCDODQQQDQDQQQQCQODOQQQO QQQQQQI mmvroxs- Pager? e Jena, (\\,9 BY Join A R- R .J ckm N N d AT oer/5) Aug. 25, 1959 R. G. DEXTER ET AL COLLATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1956 Aug. 25, 1959 R. 5. DEXTER ET AL 2,901,249;

' COLLIATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 1, 1956 v 1 e Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TORS 4 I Fag-#4 De g,

1 7 QMEW A TTORNE Y R. G. DEXTER ET AL COLLATING MACHINE Aug. 25, 1959 2,901,249

Filed Feb. 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 J4 1sa 3g .101 3 .100 504 13y 98 is? FIG 9 35 IINVENTORS 4 eaer? Q'Zexf'er- BY J06, A. mwerf 1 A TOR/V5) Aug. 25, 1959 R. G. DEXTER ET AL COLLATING MACHINE 6 Sheets- Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 1956 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 25, 1959 Filed Feb. 1, 1956 R. G. DEXTER ET AL COLLATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Shet 6 a-Acm- United States Patent Q M COLLATING MACHINE Robert G. Dexter, Harvard, and John A. Willett, Boston, Mass., assignors to Cummington Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 1, 1956, Serial No. 562,762

15 Claims. (Cl. 271--26) This invention relates to a collating machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved collating machine adapted to withdraw individual sheets from a plurality of different stacks thereof and to assemble the sheets thus withdrawn in superposed relation to form a group thereof in a simple and superior manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved collating machine of the character specified having novel sheet withdrawing and feeding mechanism adapted to withdraw successive sheets from a stack thereof in a novel and superior manner and which is capable of automatically accommodating itself to variations in the height of the stack as successive sheets are withdrawn therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved collating machine of the character specified wherein provision is made for controlling the operation of the machine in a manner such as to render the sheet withdrawing mechanism inoperative in the event that one or more sheets fail to be withdrawn from their respective stacks so as to prevent delivery of a collated group of less than a complete set of sheets.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved collating machine of the character specified having provision for stacking successive collated groups of sheets in a manner such as to main tain their collated relationship in the stack, and wherein provision is made for maintaining synchronism between the collating mechanism and the stacking mechanism in the event of failure of the withdrawing mechanism to pick up a complete set of sheets during a cycle of operation.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the collating machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a collating machine shown with the side frame removed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine as shown from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail as seen from the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail of an air valve;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the stacking mechanism;

Pig. 6 is a transverse sectional View of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a front View of a suction unit shown in engagement with a stack of sheets; i

Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the suction units shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional detail view of a suction 2,901,249 Patented Aug. 25, 1959 ICC Fig. 11 is a detail view partly in cross section of an air nozzle;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the stacking mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail view partly in cross section of a valve unit forming part of a control circuit; and

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram of the control circuitto be described.

In general the present invention contemplates a novel and improved collating machine for assembling a plurality of diiferent sheets, such as an assembly of business forms, in consecutive order and in superposed relation in a rapid and superior manner. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a plurality of stacks of the sheets to be collated are supported in an inclined position, and a plurality of suction units, one for each stack and disposed above the stacks, are arranged to be vertically reciprocated to withdraw a sheet from each stack, the sheets being suspended substantially vertically upon elevation of the suction units. The sheets thus suspended from the suction units are then successively engaged and raised to a horizontal position by the leading edge of a platform carried by a horizontally moving conveyer, the suction units being caused to. release successive sheets in timed relation to the travel of the.

platform and with successive sheets coming to rest against a stop on the platform in superposed relation to form. a group of assembled sheets. During the continued.

travel of the conveyer, the group of collatedsheets may then be delivered onto an inclined stacking table having provision for stacking successive groups in crisscross relation whereby to facilitate manual separation of individual groups from the stack, enabling the sheets of the group to be stapled or otherwise fastened together.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of novel mechanism for withdrawing and feeding successive sheets from a stack thereof wherein the uppermost sheet in the stack is withdrawn in a manner to assure withdrawal of a single sheet only each cycle of operation and wherein the withdrawing means is adapted to automatically accommodate itself to the reduction in height of the stack as the stack is depleted by continued withdrawals therefrom. Novel control means is also provided wherein provision is made for modifying the operation of the machine in the event that one or more of the suction units fails to pick up a sheet from its respective stack during a cycle of operation. The withdrawing mechanism is rendered inoperative in the event of such failure whereby to prevent delivery of less than a complete set of sheets in each collated gr oup. Provision is also made for rendering the withdrawing mechanism inoperative for the cycle of operation following such failure in order to maintain synchronism between the collating and stacking mechanisms whereby to assure arrangement of alternate collated groups in crisscross relation.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents a plurality of stacks of sheets to be collated, the stacks being arranged in spaced relation and supported in individual magazines 12 in an inclined position as shown. The magazines 12 may be removably supported in a framework 14 secured to and extended between the side frames 16, 18 of the machine. The numeral 20 represents a plurality of spaced suction units mounted to be vertically reciprocated from an elevated position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, to a lowered position and. into operative relation to the stacks 10, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Upon subsequent elevation of the suction units 20 the uppermost sheets withdrawn are suspended in a substantially vertical position from their individual suction units, and while thus suspended the sheets are en-- gaged successively by the leading edge of a horizontal. travelling platform 22 carried by a pair of spaced chains 24. In operation the individual suction units 20 are caused to release theindividual sheets in succession in timed relation to the movement of the travelling platform 22, the released sheets coming to rest against a stop 25 on the platform to form a collated group of sheets arranged in superposed relation. The group of sheets thus assembled may then be discharged from the platform 22 onto a stacking table, indicated generally at 26 in Fig. 1, preferably arranged to stack the groups in crisscross relation, as will be hereinafter described.

As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each suction unit 20 comprises a pair of suction cups 28 mounted in a transversely extended hollow pipe 30 carried by a rockingly mounted supporting arm 32 which is fast on a pivot rod 34 mounted to rock in bearings 96 in the side walls 38, 40' of the suction unit supporting frame 41'. The transversely extended pipe, as shown in Fig. 6, is connected by a flexible tube 42 to a suction manifold indicated generally at 44. The manifold is provided with a valve 46 arranged to cut off the suction to successive suction units 20 and open the units to the atmosphere during the operation of the machine as the platform 22 is moved past the individual suction units. As shown in Fig. 10, each suction cup includes an outer metal member 50 having a rubber suction insert 48 fitted therein, the metal member being threadedly engaged with, and in communication with the interior of, the transversely extended hollow suction pipe 30. It will be observed, as illustrated in Fig. 7, that the suction cups 28 are inclined inwardly toward each other relative to the suction pipe 30 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The suction unit supporting frame 41 is preferably hollow, being open at top and bottom, and may be connected to the upper end of an elevator 56 by an angle bracket 52 secured at one end to the top of the elevator and at its other end to the side wall 38 of the supporting frame 41. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the elevator 56 may comprise a reciprocating slide which includes opposed vertical angle iron members 58, 60 connected by tie pieces 61 and which are provided with rollers 62, 64 arranged to cooperate with stationary angle iron members 66, 68 secured to the side frame 18 by brackets 69. The lower end of the slide member 56 may be connected by a link 70 to an arm 72 pivotally mounted on a shaft 74 and provided with a cam roll 76 arranged to cooperate with a cam 78 fast on a cam shaft 80. As illustrated in Fig. 1, cam shaft 80 is arranged to be rotated through driving mechanism which may include an electric motor 82 belted to a jack shaft 84 which in turn may be belted to a shaft 86, the latter forming the driving shaft for the travelling platform chain 24. The shaft 86 may be connected by a chain and sprocket drive 88 to a pinion shaft 90' which is provided with a pinion 92 in mesh with a gear 94 fast on the cam shaft 80. The pair of chains 24 are arranged to run in a rectangular path, being guided over drive sprockets 91 fast on the shaft 86 and over idler sprockets 93, 95 and 97 disposed at each corner of the side frames as shown. The platform 22 may comprise a plurality of spaced rods 99 extended between the chains 24, as shown in Fig. 6, and the upper runs of the chain may be guided on track bars 300 supported by brackets 302 extended from the side frames 16, 18. The platform 22. may also be provided with side guides 27, 29, asillustrated in Fig. 6, to position the sheets longitudinally on the platform.

From: the description thus far it will be observed that in. the operation of the machine each suction unit 20 may be lowered into operative relation to its respective stack,..and in practiceprovision is made for controlling. the movement of the suction units to elfect rocking of the same: into engagement with the uppermost sheets to withdraw the same therefrom and for again rocking the units to remove the sheetsfrom the. stacks while thesuction units are in their lowered position. As herein shown, each suction unit 20 is pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 96 secured in the side walls 38, 40 to permit free rocking movement of the same. A slide unit for cooperation with the suction units is provided which includes longitudinally extended spaced bars 98 carried by and slidable relative to the side walls 38, 40 of the supporting frame 41, and which are provided with spaced rollers I00 arranged to engage the underside of the supporting arms 32 to rock the suction units 20. The spaced slide bars 98 are provided with slots 102 arranged to receive the pins 104 extended from the side walls 38, 40 as shown in Fig. 1. The rollers are mounted on cross rods 101, as shown in Fig. 8, the rods acting as spacers and the rollers being free to rotate thereon. A tie member 105 disposed above the slide unit 98 extends between the side walls 38, 40, and the slide unit may be provided with a spring 106 connected between the slide unit and an end wall 107 of the frame 41 to normally urge the slide to a forward position. As herein shown, provision is made for operating the slide unit 98 to effect retraction thereof when the suction units are in their lowered position and to permit the slide to move into a forward position to maintain the suction units in their upwardly rocked position as the suction units are elevated. The slide unit 98 is provided with a slot or socket 110 at one side thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and a rocker arm 112 cooperating with the slot is secured to one end of a rocker shaft 114 mounted in bearings 116 secured to the underside of the angle bracket 52. The other end of the shaft 114 is provided with a similar rocker arm 118 fast thereon which is rocked to the left when the suction units are in their elevated position, as shown in Fig. 1, and which when lowered is arranged to engage a slot 120 formed on a horizontally reciprocated shaft 122 mounted to slide in bearings 124 secured to the inner face of the side frame 18, as best shown in Fig. 1. The shaft 122 is connected by a link 125 to one arm 126 of a two armed lever pivotally mounted at 74 in the side frame 18. The second arm 130 of the two armed lever is provided with a cam roll 132 arranged to cooperate with a cam 134 fast on the cam shaft 80.

In the operation of the machine the suction units 20 are normally retained in an upwardly rocked position by the spring 106 when in their elevated position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the arms 112, 118 being rocked to the left at this time, and when the suction units are lowered the arm 118 is caused to enter the slot 120 formed in the reciprocal shaft 122. The slide unit 98 may then be retracted by the cam 134 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.- 1 and full lines in Fig. 9, to permit the suction units to freely rock on their pivots into engagement with the uppermost sheets of their respective stacks, the pivotal arrangement and angular disposition of the suction cups being such as to permit the suction units to freely engage the uppermost sheets as the stacks are depleted by continued withdrawals of sheets therefrom to conform to variations in the heights of the stacks.

As illustrated in detail in Fig. 7, the suction cups 28 secured to the hollow pipe 30 are inclined at an angle of approximately eight degrees toward each other. Provision is made for projecting a stream of air above and substantially parallel to the uppermost sheet in the stack by means of an air nozzle 136 also carried by and movable with the hollow pipe 30 in order to lift the uppermost sheet upwardly into engagement with said inwardly inclined suction cups 28, as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 7, the sheet being lifted by the effect of the reduced pressure caused by the air stream projected thereover. In practice it has been found that such expedient eifects separation of the uppermost sheet from the stack and assures withdrawal of only one sheet at a time. It

wil b? observed that the suction cups come to rest with.

the outer metal edges thereof on top of the uppermost sheet and, viewing Fig. 9, it will be seen that the axis of each suction cup is maintained at right angles to the plane of the top of the stack, irrespective of withdrawal of successive sheets from the stack. It will also be observed that the center line of the orifice 137 of the nozzle 136 is disposed relative to the suction cups to direct the stream of air above the uppermost sheet and parallel thereto when the suction cups are engaged with the uppermost sheet. As shown in Fig. 7, the orifice 137 is disposed to project the stream of air substantially medially of the width of the sheet between the two suction cups 28. It has been found in practice that the specific relationship of the suction cups and the air nozzle to the uppermost sheet in the stack, as thus defined, operates most efficiently to withdraw successive uppermost sheets from the stack.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention provision is made for maintaining such relationship of the suction cups 28 and the air nozzle 136 as the stack is reduced in height by continued withdrawal of successive uppermost sheets. As herein shown, the hollow pipe 30 is free to rock in the bearings 31, 33 of the pivotally mounted supporting arm 32, the pipe being prevented from lateral displacement by split rings 37 fitted into grooves in the pipe as shown in Fig. 7. In order to maintain the right angle relationship of the suction cups to the uppermost sheet in the stack the arm 32 is provided with a parallel linkage including an arm 304 fixed to the tube 30 and a link 306 connecting the arm 304 to a pivot pin 308 fixed in the side wall 38, the pivot pin 308 being arranged on a radial line from the pivot 34 at an angle of 45 from the vertical plane. Thus in operation it will be seen that when the arm 32 is released to rock freely downwardly by gravity the pipe 30 will be rocked to maintain the suction cups 28 in a predetermined angular disposition relative to the uppermost sheet in the stack, as viewed in side elevation, Fig. 9, as the stack is reduced in height by continued withdrawals therefrom. It will also be observed that the nozzle member 136 also fixed to the pipe 30 will rock with the pipe 30 to maintain its orifice 137 in its right angular relationship to the suction cups 28. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention each stack of sheets is arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal, and in operation when the suction unit 20 is in its lowered or operative position relative to the stack the center line of the pivot pin 34 is substantially in alignment with a 45 degree line 35 extended through the middle of the height of the stack as shown in Fig. 9.

As shown in Fig. 6, each air nozzle 136 is connected by a flexible tube 138 to a manifold 140 mounted on the angle bracket 52. Com-pressed air may be supplied to the manifold from any convenient source through a pipe 142 connected to the end of the manifold. In the operation of the device provision is made for controlling the air to the nozzles 136 so as to turn the air on when the suction arm is released to rock downwardly into engagement with the stack and to shut off the air when the arm 32 is again rocked upwardly by the slide unit 98. As herein shown, this may be accomplished by a valve member indicated generally at 310 connected in the line 142 between the source of compressed air and the manifold 140. The valve member 310 may be mounted on the side frame 18 in alignment with the reciprocable shaft 122 so that in operation when the shaft 122 is moved to the right, viewing Fig. l, to release the suction units, the end of the shaft will engage and open the valve. Conversely, when the shaft 122 is moved to the left to rock the suction units upwardly the valve 310 will again be closed. As shown in detail in Fig. 4, the valve member 310 may comprise a housing 312 provided with a chamber open at both ends and having an inlet 314 provided with a nipple .316 for connection to the source of air and an outlet 318 for connection to the flexible tube 142. The housing chamber is provided with a valve stem 320 slidably mounted therein and normally maintained in an outwardly extended position, as shown in Fig. 4, by a coil spring 322 interposed between one end of the housing and a collar 324 secured to the adjacent end of the stem. The other end of the stem is provided with washers 326 for limiting the outward extension of the stem by the spring. The body of the stern 320 is normally in a position to out off communication between the inlet 314 and outlet 318, as shown in Fig. 4, and the stem is provided with an annular groove 328 arranged to be moved into alignment with the inlet and outlet to permit connection therebetween when the spring pressed stem 320 is moved to the right by engagement of the end of the reciprocable shaft 122.

In the operation of the machine the elevating unit moves the suction units from their full line to their dotted line position shown in Fig. l, the elevating unit coming to rest in a predetermined position of descent relative to the stack, preferably in a position such that the pivot 34 is intersected by the 45 line 35 passing substantially through the center line of the stack whereupon all of the suction units 20 are released simultaneously by the cam operated slide unit 98 to rock freely into engagement with their respective stacks 10. It Will be understood that the suction is supplied to the suction cups 28 at this time, and the air nozzle 136 is also supplied with air by operation of the valve 310. Thus, during the downward rocking movement of the arms 32 the air Stream starts to effect separation of the uppermost sheet from the stack and elevation of the same into engagement with the angularly arranged suction cups 28, as described, such engagement being completed when the outer edges of the suction cups come to rest against the top of the stack. Thereafter the arms 32 of the suction units are immediately and simultaneously rocked upwardly by operation of the slide unit 93 to withdraw their respective sheets from their stacks whereupon the elevator is again moved to present the suction units in their ele vated position with the sheets suspended vertically therefrom as shown in Fig. 1.

From the description thus far it Will be seen that in the operation of the machine while the withdrawn sheets are thus suspended vertically from their respective suction units 20 the leading edge of the continuously moving platform 22 is arranged to engage successive sheets as it moves past the suction units, and as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, the suction manifold 44 is arranged to effect release of successive sheets in timed relation to the travel of the moving platform 22. The suction manifold 44 may comprise a vertical pipe supported in and movable with tie pieces 172, 173 extended from the elevating member 56. The pipe 170 is provided with spaced ports 174 surrounded by hollow collars 176, and the valve member 46 is connected to a cam operated valve rod 178. A second valve member spaced from the valve member 46 and also secured to the rod 178 is arranged to maintain a continuous suction chamber between the two valves 46 and 180, said chamber being connected by a pipe 182 to any usual or preferred source of suction. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the suction manifold 44 is secured to and arranged to be reciprocated with the suction units 20, and provision is made for operating the valve rod 178 to eifect opening of successive ports 174 to the atmosphere, the upper end of the pipe 170 being open. As herein shown, the lower end of the rod 178 is connected by an extension 184 to a tubular member 186 provided with spaced collars 188, 190. The tubular member 186 is slidingly supported in the tie member 172 at its upper end and is arranged to slide on an upright rod 192 extended into the lower end thereof, the rod 192 being supported in a bracket 194 secured to the machine frame. The valve rod 178 is illustrated in Fig. 2 in itsuppermost position immediately prior to being lowered, and in order to move the valve ro'd downwardly in timed relation to the movement of the travelling platform a cam lever 1% is provided to operate between the collars 188, 190. The cam lever 196 may be pivotally mounted at 74 and is provided with a cam roll 198 arranged to cooperate with a cam 1200 fast on the cam shaft 80. In operation the rod is moved downwardly, as described, to effect relative movement of the valve with respect to the ports 174 in the pipe 170 to effect discontinuance of the suction to successive suction units, as described, and when the elevating unit is subsequently lowered, the cam 2% is operated to effect elevation of the valve rod 178 to its initial position by engagement with the upper collar 188. A spring 202 connected to the cam lever 196 is arranged to urge the lever downwardly. In order to maintain the rod 178 in its elevated position relative to the pipe 171 during subsequent elevation of the suction units a friction member 204 may be provided at the lower end of the pipe 178, the friction member being secured to a flange 2116 formed on the lower end of the pipe 170. An auxiliary friction device may be provided at the upper end of the pipe 176 and may comprise a collar 2118 secured to the upper end of the rod 178 and which is arranged to be engaged by adjustable friction screws 21% carried by the upper end of the pipe 170.

As illustrated i Figs. 1 and 6, the multiplicity of suction tubes 42 and compressed air tubes 138 extending from their respective manifolds to each suction unit 21) may and preferably Will be provided with suitable covers to protect and conceal the same, such as a transversely extended cover plate 54 curved downwardly to abut the side Wall 40 of the supporting frame 41, as shown in Fig. 6, and longitudinally extended covers 55, 57, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and which extend over the upper open end of the supporting frame 41 on both sides of the transversely extended portion.

From the description thus far it will be seen that as the platform 22 travels past the suction units the leading rod 99 of the platform 22 will engage successive sheets to cause them to assume a horizontal position relative to the platform, and in operation just before the sheets are about to engage the stop 25 on the platform the suction is cut off from the corresponding suction unit to permit the sheet to slide against the stop member 25, successive sheets being similarly released sliding on top of the underlying sheets and against the stop 25 to form a coll'ated group of sheets in superposed relation. It will be understood that the machine may be designed to collate any predetermined number of sheets and that variations in the number of sheets collated may be produced by merely removing one or more stacks and discontinuing the suction to the corresponding suction units as desired.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 12 and 13 which illustrate the stacking mechanism 26, it will be observed that a group of collated sheets carried by the travelling platform 22 will be discharged therefrom as the platform moving in a horizontal plane passes over the idler sprockets 93 to move into a vertical plane whereby to present the group onto a table 212 supported in an inclined position at the discharge end of the machine. As shown in Figs. 1 and 12, the upper end of the inclined table 212 is provided with depending lugs 217 and is supported for pivotal adjustment on a transverse shaft 219 extended between brackets 221 attached to the side frames 16, 18. The table 212 is connected adjacent lower end by supporting arms 223 which may be adjustably secured to the side frames so as to permit adjustment of the incline of the table. The speed of the platform is such as to forcibly eject the group therefrom, and the leading edge of the group may be guided onto the inclined table 212 by a curved guide rail 214 pivotally supported at 216 in brackets 218 attached to a tie piece 21 supported between the side frames 16, 18 as shown. As best shown in Fig. 12, provision is made for arranging in crisscross relation successive groups of 8 sheets thus discharged whereby to facilitate manual removal of individual groups from the stack. As herein shown, the sheets are discharged onto the table 212 with their side edges parallel tothe side edges of the table 212, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12, and when the leading edge of a group engages a slide member, in-

dicated generally at 220, :and disposed to the right of a longitudinal center line passing through the sheets the group will be rocked downwardly to the left to come to rest against a stop pin 2'22 fixed in the table 212. At this time a second slide member 224 is "arranged to engage the left hand edge of the group and to jog the group into a pocket 225 formed in a guide member 266 which may be adjustably mounted on the table 212 as shown. As illustrated in Fig. 12, this procedure will arrange one group of sheets at an angle of approximately 15 degrees in one direction relative to the longitudinal center line, and in the continued operation of the machine a sueceeding group of sheets being delivered onto the table 212 with its longitudinal edges parallel to the edges of the table may be engaged by the second slide member 224 which at this time will be moved to a position corresponding to the slide member 220 during the previous cycle of operation so that such second group will be rocked downwardly to the right against a pin 231 to cause the sheets to assume an angular position opposite to that assumed by the preceding group. The slide member 2211 at this time effects jogging of the edges of the group of sheets to align the sheets and to push the group into an opposing pocket 227 formed in a guide mem'ber 229. As herein illustrated, each slide member 220, 224 maybe adjustably secured to slide plates 228 guided in grooved members 230, 232 secured to the underside of the table 212, and the slide members 220, 224 may be connected by a common spring 234 to normally urge them inwardly toward each other. It will be observed that the slide plates 228 operate in slotted portions 236 formed in the table 212 and that their inward movement may be limited by stop members 238, 241 A central access opening 237 may also be provided to facilitate removal of individual groups. The slide members 220, 224 are arranged to be alternately retracted or moved outwardly and to then be slightly retracted and moved forwardly successively several times against the adjacent edge of the group in order to jog the sheets of the group into superposed alignment and to present a corner of the group into a pocket of the guide member. These operations may be effected by cam operated means which may include an endless cable 242 arranged to be reciprocated relative to the slide members. As herein shown, the cable 242 is provided with a collar 244, and upon move ment of the cable in one direction the collar will engage a depending portion 246 of the slide member 224 t0 retract the same, the other slide member 220 coming to rest against the stop 238 at this time, and upon movement in the other direction the collar 244 will engage the depending portion 248 of the slide member 220 to move the slide 220 outwardly as descr bed.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 12, it will be observed that the cable 242 is arranged to run over a pulley 250 rotatably secured to a stud 252 supported in the side frame 18 and then over a pulley 254 rotatably mounted on the end of the shaft 219. The cable then runs over pulleys 258, 260 to provide a parallel run beneath the slotted portion 236 of the table 212 whereupon the endless cable 242 runs around a pulley 262 and over a second pulley 264 rotatably mounted on the shaft 219 to continue around the pulley 250. In order to effect movement of the cable to cause the slide members to operate to arrange the successive groups in criss-cross relation, as described, the cable is secured to one end of a cam lever 266 which is pivotally mounted at 268 in the side frame 18. The cam lever 266 is provided with a roller 270 arranged to cooperate with a cam 272 rotatably mounted on a stud 274 secured in the side frame 18. The cam 272 is arranged to be rotated at a ratio of 2m l relative to the cam shaft 80 by a chain and sprocket drive 276 as illustrated in Fig. 2. A spring 278 connected to an arm 280 extended from the cam lever 266 is arranged to rock the lever downwardly to eifect movement of the cable 242 in one direction, and operation of the cam will effect rocking of the cable in the other direction. It will be observed that the cam 272 is provided with raised portions 273, 275 in diametrically opposed relation on the cam so as to effect the jogging movement described with relation to the stacking operation, the different positions of the slide members during the jogging operation being indicated in Fig. 12.

The slide members 220, 224 may be adjustably secured to their respective slide plates 228 in order to accommodate different sizes of sheets, and as illustrated in Fig. 13, the slide member 220 is provided with a base leg 282 having an opening therein. A stud 284 provided with a head 285 is extended through a slot 286 formed in the slide plate, then through the base leg opening to be threadedly received in the lower end of an elongated adjusting nut 288 having a knurled head at its upper end. Thus, by loosening the nut 288 the slide member may be moved in the slot 286 to a new position of adjustment and the nut again tightened. In order to prevent rotation of the slide member relative to the slot, a marginal edge of the base leg is bent down, as at 290, to engage a groove 292 formed in the upper face of the slide plate as shown.

As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, control mechanism may be provided for assuring that each group of collated sheets is complete, and this may be accomplished by causing the suction units to release all of the sheets in the event that one or more of the suction units fails to withdraw a sheet from its stack, thereby preventing formation of a collated group of less than the predetermined number of sheets being collated. Provision is also made for maintaining synchronism of the collating and stacking mechanisms when such failure occurs. As shown in Fig. 14, the suction line 182 may be connected to a valve unit 400 having a chamber 402 to which the main suction supply pipe 404 is connected. The upper end of the chamber 402 is provided with atmospheric openings 405 normally closed by a valve member 406 provided with a stem 408 having a spring 410 coiled thereabout and interposed between the top wall of the unit 400 and a collar 412 formed upon the stem. The upper end of the stem 408 is arranged to cooperate with a solenoid 414 included in a circuit arranged to be energized to open the chamber to the atmosphere when a slight increase inpressure occurs therein. The lower end of the stem is provided with a spring pressed valve member 416 arranged to seat in the lower wall of the unit 400 to cut off the suction supply from pipe 404 when such increase in pressure occurs. The chamber 402 is also connected by a pipe 418 to a vacuum switch 420 having a diaphragm 422 normally held in a position to close contacts 424, 426, as shown in full lines in Fig. 14, and which is responsive to a slight increase in pressure, such as when one or more suction units are inadvertently opened at a particular time in a cycle of operation, ap proximately at the time when the suction units 20 are about to be rocked upwardly to withdraw a sheet. When such a failure of a suction unit occurs the diaphragm 422 moves to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 14 toclose contacts 424, 428 and energize the solenoid 414. Operation of the solenoid effects opening of the chamber to the atmosphere by depression of the valve stem 408 so that all of the sheets will be released during such cycle to drop by gravity back onto their particular stack.

From the above description of the stacking mechanism 26 having provision for arranging alternate collated groups in crisscross stacked relation, it will be seen that in the event the collating mechanism is rendered inoperative, as above described, during one cycle of operation the group collated during the next cycle of operation will be incorrectly stacked, that is,two collated groups will be placed one on top of the other in superposed rather than crisscross relation. In order to avoid this condition provision is made for rendering the suction units 20 inoperative to pick up sheets from their stacks during the cycle following a failure, such as above described, so

that no sheets will be delivered to the stacking mechanism for two cycles of operation in the event of failure of the suction units during one cycle of operation. This may be accomplished by a time delay relay indicated generally at 430 in Fig. 15 and'which is arranged to be actuated upon failure of the suction units during one cycle of operation.

Referring now to Fig. 15, the wiring diagram therein shown includes the vacuum switch 420,. solenoid 414 and time delay relay 430 wherein lines L1 and L2 are connected by leads 432, 434 through a manually operated switch 436 and leads 438, 440 to leads 442, 444 respectively. Lead 442 extends to contact 446 of the time delay relay 430, through contact 448 and lead 450 to contact 424 of the vacuum switch 420. When the arm 421 is in its normal position in engagement with contact 426, as shown, indicating that no failure has occurred and that a complete group of collated sheets is delivered to the stacking mechanism, a circuit is completed through line 451 to a cam operated timing switch 453 and lead 455 to counting mechanism indicated generally at 457 to record and count the group, the circuit being completed through leads 459, 440, switch 436 and lead 434 to L2. Thus, during normal operation the solenoid 414 and time delay relay 430 are not energized. However, when a failure occurs and an increase in pressure is detected during the sheet withdrawing operation of the suction units, the switch arm 421 will be rocked to close the circuit through contacts 424, 428 and open the circuit to the counters. The circuit is continued from contact 428 by lead 452 through a cam operated timing switch 454 and leads 456, 458 to one terminal of the solenoid 414. The lead 460 from the second terminal of the solenoid 414 is connected to L2 through leads 444, 440, switch 436 and lead 434. Simultaneously therewith, the coil 462 of the time delay relay 430 is energized from extension 464 of lead 456 through contacts 466, 468 to one terminal thereof, the second terminal being connected to L2 through leads 470, 444 and 440 to switch 436 and then through lead 434 to L2. Immediately upon energization of solenoid 414 the stem 408 is depressed to open the atmospheric openings 405 and effect release of all of the sheets onto their respective stacks during this cycle of operation, and simultaneously therewith, energization of coil 462 will cause the movable contacts of the time delay relay to leave contacts 448, 466 and to engage contacts 472, 474. It will be understood that the solenoid 414 and coil 462 are energized at a particular time in the cycle, that is, just as the suction units 20 are about to be rocked upwardly to withdraw their sheets, by the c am operated switch 454 and that the circuit is immediately opened at switch 454 and will remain open until the same time during the following cycle of operation. It will also be observed that the circuit to the coil is opened at contact 466 when the movable contacts are moved into engagement with contacts 472, 474. The time delay relay may be adjusted to remain in its disengaged position throughout the following cycle of operation so that the solenoid 414 will be energized during such following cycle through lead 442, terminal 446, contact 474 and bypass lead 476 through lead 452, timing switch 454, leads 456, 458 to one terminal, then through leads 460 and 444 to L2. However, the coil 462 will not be energized during the second cycle because the circuit thereto is opened at contact 466. After a predetermined length of time the movable contacts of the time delay relay return to their normal position in engagement with contacts 448, 466. Thus, it will be seen that in the event of a failure of the suction units during one cycle of operation the time delay relay will effect a second idle cycle 'so as to maintain synchronism of the collating mechanism with the stacking mechanism in the manner described. The remaining circuits indicated in Fig. 15 include leads 500, 502 from L1 and L2 to a magnetic motor starter indicated generally at 504 for operating the drive motor 506. The vacuum motor 508 is connected to leads 432, 434 through leads 510, 512 respectively, and the air pressure motor 514 is connected to leads 432, 434 through leads 516, 518 respectively. Switch 520 comprises a stop and start switch for actuating the magnetic starter 5M, and switches 522, 524 in this circuit indicate door actuated safety switches for opening the motor circuit in the event a door or doors, not shown, provided in the cover members 55, 57 are opened when the machine is in operation.

From the above description it will be observed that the present collating machine is capable of collating a plurality of sheets in superposed and assembled relation in a novel and improved manner and that successive collated groups of sheets discharged from the machine may be automatically stacked in a manner such as to facilitate subsequent removal of individual groups of collated sheets. It will also be observed that the present novel sheet withdrawing mechanism embodying freely rockable suction units are arranged to lift the uppermost sheets from their respective stacks into engagement with their angularly arranged suction cups by means of a stream of air directed over the top of and parallel to the uppermost sheet, and that the freely rockable suction units are capable of automatically accommodating themselves to the height of the stack in a manner such as to maintain the same relationship to the uppermost sheets in the stacks at all times as the stacks are depleted and reduced in height by successive withdrawals therefrom. It will also be observed that the present novel control mechanism is adapted to render all of the suction units inoperative in the event of failure of one or more of the same so as to assure a complete set of sheets in each collated group,

and that such failure during one cycle of operation automatically renders the sheet withdrawing mechanism inoperative during a second cycle whereby to assure stacking of the collated groups of sheets in a manner such as to maintain separation of the groups in their collated relation in the stack.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Sheet withdrawing mechanism comprising, in combination, means for supporting a stack of sheets, a pivotally mounted suction unit including an arm, a suction pipe mounted to rock in said arm, and a pair of spaced suction cups fixed in said pipe, means for releasing said arm to rock by gravity into engagement with the top of the stack and for thereafter rocking the arm upwardly, said suction cups having their suction faces arranged at opposed angles relative to the plane of the top of the stack with said faces directed inwardly toward each other in front elevation, the axes of said suction cups being an ranged at right angles to the plane of the'top of the stack inside elevation, an air nozzle fixed to said pipe at right angles to said suction'cups in side elevation and arranged to project a stream of air medially of said suction cups across the top of and parallel to the top of the stack to effect lifting of the uppermost sheet into engagement with said angularly arranged suction cups to withdraw the sheet from the stack, and parallel linkage associated with said arm and said-pipe for maintaining the suction cups and air nozzle in the same relative stack engaging position as the stack is reduced in height upon successive withdrawals therefrom.

2. Sheet withdrawing mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein the 'pivotal point of said arm is disposed along.

12 a line'parallel to and extended through substantially the middle of the initial height of the stack.

3-. Sheet withdrawing mechanism comprising, in combination, means for supporting a stack of sheets, a'pivot ally mounted suction unit, means for bodily moving the.

pivotally mounted suction unit into and out of a predetermined position relative to the stack, means for there after rocking the pivotally mounted suction unit into and out of engagement with the top of the stack, said pivotally mounted suction unit including a pair of spaced suction cups having their suction faces arranged at opposed angles relative to the plane of the top of the stack with said faces being directed inwardly toward each other in front elevation, the axes of the suction cups being arranged at right angles to the plane of the top of the stack in side elevation, an air nozzle carried by said suction unit for projecting a stream of air across the top of and.

tion unit along a line parallel to and extended through substantially the middle of the initial height of the stack.

5. In a collating machine, in combination, means for supporting a plurality of stacks of sheets in spaced relation, reciprocable suction units for simultaneously withdrawing a sheet from each stack and for supporting the same in spaced and aligned relation, means for bodily reciprocating said suction units into and out of a predetermined position relative to their respective stacks, a traveliing platform engageable with successive aligned sheets as it is moved therepast, means for releasing successive sheets one by one from their respective suction units timed relation to the movement of said platform into operative relation to successive of said sheets whereby to form a collated group of sheets in superposed relation on said platform, each of said suction units being pivotally mounted and provided with a .pair of spaced suction cups having their suction faces arranged at opposed angles relative to the plane of the top of its stack with said faces directed inwardly toward each other in front elevation, the axes of the suction cups being arranged at right angles to the plane of the top of the stack in side elevation, a nozzle carried by each suction unit for projecting a stream of air across the top of and parallel to the top of the stack to effect lifting of the uppermost sheet into engagement with said angularly arranged suction cups to withdraw the uppermost sheet from its stack, and means for rocking said pivotally mounted suction units including means for releasing the same to rock by gravity into engagement with the tops of their respective stacks and for thereafter rocking the suction units upwardly.

6. A collating machine as defined in claim 5 wherein provision is made for maintaining said relationship of the suction cups and the nozzle to the top of the stack as the stack is reduced in height upon successive withdrawals therefrom.

7. A collating machine as defined in claim 6 wherein the provision for maintaining said relationship includes a parallel linkage and wherein the predetermined position of each pivotally mounted suction unit relative to its stack disposes the pivotal point of the suction unit along a line parallel to and extended through substantially the middle of the initial height of the stack.

8. A collating machine as defined in claim 5 which includes control means for releasing all of said sheets during the withdrawing operation and prior to elevation of the suction units in the event that at least-one of said 13 suction units fails to retain its sheet whereby to prevent collation of a number of sheets less than the entire series of sheets being assembled.

9. Release means for use with a collating machine operating in successive cycles, said machine including means for supporting a plurality of stacks of sheets in spaced relation, vertically reciprocable means including a plurality of suction units for withdrawing a sheet from each stack simultaneously and for supporting the same in spaced and aligned relation, a travelling platform engageable with successive aligned sheets as it is moved therepast, means for releasing successive sheets one by one from their respective suction units in timed relation to the movement of said platform into operative relation to successive of said sheets whereby to form a collated group of sheets in superposed relation on said platform, a table arranged to receive successive collated groups of sheets discharged from the machine, and stacking means operating in timed relation to the collating mechanism for arranging successive groups in ofiset relation on said table to facilitate removal of individual groups therefrom, said release means comprising a pressure responsive device adapted to actuate said suction units for releasing all of said sheets during the withdrawing operation and prior to elevation of the suction units in the event that at least one of said suction units fails to retain its sheet durihg one cycle of operation whereby to prevent collation of a number of sheets less than a complete group, and means responsive to such failure for rendering the suction units inoperative to withdraw sheets during the next succeeding cycle of operation whereby to prevent arrangement of a group of collated sheets in non-ofiset relation on said table.

10. The release means as defined in claim 9 wherein said machine includes a suction line connected to said suction units and a valve in said suction line and wherein said release device includes a circuit having a pressure responsive switch actuated by an increase in pressure in said line, and a solenoid operatively connected to said valve "for discontinuing the suction to said units when one or more units fails to withdraw a sheet from its stack.

11. The release means as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for rendering the suction units inoperative during said succeeding cycle includes a time delay relay in said circuit.

12. The release means as defined in claim 9 wherein said machine includes means for counting successive collated groups, and wherein said release means includes means for rendering said counting means inoperative upon such failure of the collating mechanism.

13. Release means for use with a collating machine operating in successive cycles, said machine including means for supporting a plurality of stacks of sheets in spaced relationship, reciprocable suction units for simultaneously withdrawing a sheet from each stack and for supporting the same in spaced and aligned relationship, support means movable relative to said aligned sheets, and means for releasing successive sheets one by one from their respective suction units and depositing said released sheets on said support means in timed relationship to the relative movement of said support means past said sheets to form a collated group of sheets in superposed relationship on said support means, said release means comprising a pressure responsive device adapted to actuate said suction units for releasing all of said withdrawn sheets prior to deposit of any of said withdrawn sheets on said support means in the event that at least one of said suction units fails to retain its sheet during a cycle of operation whereby to prevent collation of a number of sheets less than a complete group.

14. The release means as claimed in claim 13 and further including a solenoid operated valve connected to said suction units and wherein said pressure responsive device is a switch adapted to operate said solenoid valve for removing the suction from said units whenever a unit fails to withdraw a sheet from its stack.

15. The release means as claimed in claim 14 wherein said machine includes a suction line connected to said suction units and said valve includes a chamber interposed in said suction line and a valve member disposed within said chamber, said valve member being adapted to be operated by said solenoid, a port in said chamber providing communication with the atmosphere and means to bias said valve member to close said port, said valve member, upon operation by said solenoid, being adapted to close said suction line such that suction is removed from said units and simultaneously to open said port such that said units are exposed to atmospheric pressure, whereby all the sheets withdrawn :by said units are released therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,112,609 Harris Oct. 6, 1914 1,460,314 Deck June 26, 1923 1,575,892 Ashby Mar. 9, 1926 1,697,752 Broadmeyer Ian. 1, 1929 2,108,702 Backhouse Feb. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,110,126 France Oct. 5, 1955 

